Steel Guitar Builder

I have been working on an 8-string C6 lap steel for a while now, when time and the winter weather allow. That garage workshop is pretty chilly. I've decided to use reclaimed timber throughout. The body is Brazilian mahogany from old door frames from an old folks' home. I had to put the pieces togeth...

A hook every time for me, Jason - although my Williams has a hole through the tailpiece of the finger, that works great too. I borrowed JD's Zum for a while, and it has pins. They are infuriating, really hard to get the string end onto. The worst idea ever. Cross-shafts get a lot of discussion. Roun...

Yes, there's obviously years of work in there. I spent hours pondering over the Anapeg changer you referred me to, but I still don't get how it works. And your changer is materially different anyway. I do understand you wanting to protect your design of course, after all that work. So no surprise th...

I've no way of looking up any of those designs, Ross, I think they are all closely guarded secrets. Care to share?

Holy smoke, that is one sweet changer design, 4 raise, 3 lower? Looks a bit like an Excel. Would love to know how your changer works. Hats off to you!

I'm gonna get in trouble for this, but Pat, I was surprised you did it this way. I was thinking, stain it first, then put the inlay in. But there was lovely grain in that maple, and the stain seems to hide it. Oh well, I'm unlikely ever to have that problem, birdseye maple is super rare over here in...

Joey, I can't think of any good reason for the connections to be any way round. That's if both wires are "floating", i.e. not grounded. You can always connect them and swap 'em over if you prefer the sound the other way. No harm will result.

Great minds think alike, they say! I can vary the depth of cut and have built a hefty timber jig to hold my router so I can pass the timber across the cutter. Seems I'm less likely to mess up that way. The jig clamps to the bench top when in use. Once my extra-long wood drill bits arrive, I'm ready ...

It's been very quiet on this site lately. I'm sticking my neck out here, but I am genuinely interested, silly question or not: How do you cut the channels for the banding inlay on the aprons of the steel? Do you: a. Hold the wood still and pass the router along it, or: b. Hold the router upside down...

Now I wonder why they didn't show up in my search? This is a much better selection. Thank you, Ron!